Halibut with sesame soy sauce and buckwheat noodles

1 hour

serves 8

Easy

The Mandarin word for fish is ‘yu’ and during the New Year celebrations people wish each other ‘Nian nian you yu’, which translates as ‘Have abundance every year’. Serving the fish whole symbolises unity and completeness. Make up for the ‘incompleteness’ of using fillets by serving this dish with whole steamed small pak choy and uncut buckwheat noodles (uncut noodles symbolise longevity).

Method

Cook the noodles in boiling water following the packet instructions. Cool under cold running water and drain.

Step 2

To make the dressing for the noodles, whisk together the sesame oil, mirin and soy sauce. Add the spring onions and coriander and mix well. Pour the dressing over the noodles and toss.

Step 3

To make the sesame soy sauce, heat the groundnut oil in a large wok. Add the garlic and ginger and stir well for a few seconds. Add the soy and sesame oil to the pan and stir well. Bring to a bubble, then add the spring onions, chilli and coriander and mix. Keep warm.

Step 4

Heat a little groundnut oil in two large frying pans. Add 4 halibut fillets to each pan, skin-side down, pressing lightly on each as it cooks. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on high heat until the skin is crisp and golden brown, then turn over and cook for 2-3 minutes until the flesh has turned opaque.

Step 5

Serve the dressed noodles with some steamed pak choy and a halibut fillet, drizzle over some of the sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds.